In common with its slightly higher sibling, Little Mell Fell
presents as a rounded dome with fairly steep grass slopes, and is
relatively isolated from other fells. Alfred Wainwright in his
Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells described it as "an
uninspiring, unattractive bare and rounded hump- the sublime touch
that made a wonderland of the district overlooked Little Mell."
Unlike Great Mell Fell however, it does have one visible
connection to other fells. Due south from the summit is The Hause,
a narrow col crossed by a minor road. From here a ridge of high
ground swings south west, running parallel to the shore of
Ullswater until it culminates at Gowbarrow Fell. There are a number
of intermediate tops along the way, including Great Meldrum (1,433
ft) Little Meldrum (1,325 ft) and Watermillock Common (1,391 ft,
unnamed on Ordnance Survey maps).
Little Mell Fell also manages to send a short grassy spur out to
the north west. Between this and the main body of the fell is the
source of Thackthwaite Gill, a tributary of Dacre Beck and,
ultimately, of the Eden. The fell has a few tiny areas of
broadleaved plantation, but otherwise is bare, the lower slopes
being parcelled up into fields for agriculture. Notices indicate
the presence of adders on the fell.